Barrett’s Oesophagus

I’m sure you are Daisyrose. Have you any family you can talk to? I recently had a gastroscopy (camera up nose and down gullet to stomach) but it said everything was normal.

I thought I might have Barrett’s oesophagus as my voice has been really hoarse and I cough a lot in my sleep. My Dad had cancer of the oesophagus so I was concerned.

I already knew I had a sliding hiatus hernia which is controlled well by lanzoprazole. I wonder if you have one as that causes dreadful chest pains.

They may give you a gastroscopy instead of an endoscopy (camera down throat) which I found much better and they give you the results there and then.

I get through these things by shutting it off in a compartment in my brain and telling myself I am not opening that until the day. When the day comes I then tell myself it will all be over by x o’clock. Try it!

Let us know how you get on.

My husband has had Barrett's Oesophagus for about 7 years - taking Lansoprazole for it. He was being monitored with 2 yearly then 5 yearly endoscopies.
Sadly he now has dementia and it would be too distressing to have them.
It isn't something that automatically leads to worrying outcomes especially if it is being treated.

Thank you Primrose73. Actually on the second endoscopy they did discover a small hiatus hernia. I hadn’t realised they can cause chest pains. Sadly I have lost my much loved brother and 2 friends to cancer in the last 2 years so this dreadful disease has been very much on my mind which isn’t helping I don’t think.

Thank you for your advice too; I will certainly give it a go.

Thank you Thoro for your kind words. I do appreciate them. My thoughts are with both you and your husband as you live with his dementia.

My mother had Barrett’s oesophagus, as part of a related genetic condition.

Although it can become cancerous it is a very low percentage that does- I think only about 2% though I can’t accurately remember the figures. But that change to the cells is very long term, over many years, to the extent that they only monitor it every three or four years.

What I’m trying to say is that if your endoscopy was five years ago there’s very little chance that what you’re experiencing is cancer.

I hope that’s a bit reassuring.

Oh I see Thoro’s husband was monitored every 5 years. So they’ve extended it since my mothers time.

I have Barrett's oesophagus and a small hiatus hernia. I had two endoscopy's two years apart and then Covid struck. Then last year I had a phone call from the hospital asking how I felt. There had been no change between first and second endoscopy's and no symptoms since Lansoprazole seems to be working so it was decided to leave it for now. I rather wish I had had another test now.

Thank you Lathyrus that is encouraging and I very much appreciate your reply.

Thanks for the reply NfkDumpling. Yes I agree I wish I’d had one earlier too but Covid sent everything out of kilter. Hope all goes well for you.

I take two omeprazole a day but everyone seems to mention Lansoprazole - is this supposed to be more effective does anyone know?

DaisyRose
This article might help you understand the 2 tablets.

www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/news/prescriptions/lansoprazole-vs-omeprazole/

DaisyRose
I know what that pain feels like 😥
If, you get it again, sip water, do not gulp, but sip. Milk works for my OH.

Daisyrose5

I take two omeprazole a day but everyone seems to mention Lansoprazole - is this supposed to be more effective does anyone know?

I changed from Omeprazole to Lanoprazole and Peptic liquid because my hiatus hernia was responding to Omeprazole.

That link was very useful MerylStreep. Thank you.

Mary doll when you say it was responding to your hiatus hernia does this mean it was making it worse?

I should have said wasn't responding. It became less effective in helping with symptoms over a couple of years.
However, multiple medications also are a factor in my stomach problems, so it needed changed.
I find prebiotic yoghurts help.
The hernia and polyp were discovered after a gastroscopy.

probiotic yoghurts!

Thank you Marydoll. I will give the probiotics a try. Have an appointment with my own doctor on Wednesday so am going armed with my list of questions so that I can make an informed decision about whether to have the endoscopy done or not. Thanks for your help.

I hope you are reassured on Wednesday Daisyrose5 my GP advised me to take a dose of Gaviscon Advance before bed, as well as the Famotidine drug I take daily. The Gaviscon is prescribed too.

Thank you for your kind wishes Jaxjacky. I take a spoon of Peptac at bedtime a couple of hours after the omeprazole and normally it does work, just not the other night. Anyway I’m seeing the doc and will see what he thinks about the endoscopy from a medical point of view then I’ll have to make my own informed decision. Part of me thinks I need it and part doesn’t want it in case it’s bad news. Oh dear, I’m seriously rubbish at decision making!

Quick update. Saw the doctor this morning. He said because of how concerned I am that I should have the endoscopy. So just have to wait for an appointment now. I’ve been on the list for three months but obviously things have got very far behind so no idea how long I will have to wait. Don’t know about the rest of you but I’m not good at waiting when I’m worried